Filler for removing wrinkles

ABSTRACT

The present invention relates to a filler for removing wrinkles, which comprises: a thin and long tubular main body to be placed so as to penetrate through subcutaneous tissue; and through-holes for guiding tissue cells surrounding the main body into the main body, so as to form fibrous tissue, wherein the through-holes are formed so as to communicate with a hollow portion formed in said main body in the lengthwise direction from the outer surface of said main body. The filler for removing wrinkles according to the present invention is prevented from being deformed or moved by pressure on the skin or by an external force arising after being inserted into the subcutaneous tissue, and can be applied to various body parts having wrinkles, including deep wrinkles. Furthermore, the wrinkle-removing effects of the filler of the present invention may last (semi)permanently.

TECHNICAL FIELD

The present disclosure relates to a filler for removing wrinkles, moreparticularly to a filler which is inserted into the subcutaneous layeraround wrinkles through cosmetic surgery and removes the wrinkles byinducing formation of new fibrous tissue.

BACKGROUND ART

As human ages, wrinkles are formed on the skin surface of the face orbody. The wrinkles are formed because of muscular contraction. Thewrinkles are formed perpendicularly to the direction of musclecontraction and become deeper with aging.

As a method for removing wrinkles, Botox is frequently used to paralyzethe muscles which cause wrinkles. However, this results in an unnaturallook and is limited in removing the wrinkles below the eyes, below thelower lip and around the mouth and in removing thick or deep wrinkles.Also, the effect lasts only 3-6 months.

As another method, a filler is used to correct wrinkles and otherdepressions in the skin. Although a liquid filler is convenient toinject, it tends to move toward the direction of muscle contractionafter being injected into the skin. As a result, the wrinkles may lookdeeper and, it is limited in that it is degraded and absorbed by thebody after a predetermined time (up to about 1-2 years).

Another method is to insert a very thin gold thread into thesubcutaneous layer. The gold thread induces growth of new tissue aroundthe thread through foreign body reactions. However, this method islimited to be used for thick wrinkles and the inserted gold thread maybe bent by external force or protrude out of the skin. Also, it maycause diagnostic problems during X-ray, CT or MRI imaging throughinterference.

DISCLOSURE Technical Problem

The present disclosure is directed to providing a filler for removingwrinkles that is not moved after being inserted into the subcutaneouslayer without resorting, for example, to surgical skin incisionregardless of muscle contraction.

The present disclosure is also directed to providing a filler forremoving wrinkles that provides (semi)permanently lastingwrinkle-removing effect after being inserted into the subcutaneous layereven when the filler itself is degraded and absorbed by the body withtime since it induces formation of new fibrous tissue including collagenfiber.

The present disclosure is also directed to providing a filler forremoving wrinkles that can be applied to various wrinkles includingthick wrinkles and has recoiling force against external force.

Technical Solution

In a general aspect, there is provided a filler for removing wrinkles,including: a thin and long tubular main body provided so as to penetratethe subcutaneous layer; and through-holes provided so as to guide tissuecells surrounding the main body into the main body to form fibroustissue, wherein the through-holes are formed to communicate with ahollow portion formed in the main body in a lengthwise direction fromthe outer surface of the main body.

In an exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure, the main body ofthe filler for removing wrinkles has a circular transection.

Specifically, the main body may have an outer diameter of 0.6-1.0 mm,the hollow portion may have a diameter (inner diameter of the main body)of 0.5-0.7 mm, and the through-holes may have a diameter of 40-500 μm.

In an exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure, the main body ofthe filler for removing wrinkles is made of an elastic material.

In another exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure, the main bodyof the filler for removing wrinkles is made of a biodegradable polymerselected from a group consisting of hyaluronic acid (HA), polylacticacid (PLA), polyglyco-lactic acid (PGLA) and polydioxanone (PDS).

In another exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure, the main bodyof the filler for removing wrinkles is made of a non-biodegradablepolymer selected from a group consisting of nylon, silicone and Teflon.

In another exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure, the main bodymay have a double-layer structure including an inner sheath and an outersheath made of different materials having different physical properties.

In another exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure, a pluralityof partitions may be further formed in the hollow portion in the mainbody of the filler for removing wrinkles.

In another exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure, a spiralelastic support may be further formed in the hollow portion in the mainbody of the filler for removing wrinkles.

In another exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure, a spiralelastic support may be provided outside the main body of the filler forremoving wrinkles so as to surround the outer surface of the main body.

Advantageous Effects

Since a filler for removing wrinkles according to the present disclosurehas recoiling force, it is not deformed or moved by the pressure orexternal force applied on the skin after being inserted into thesubcutaneous layer. Since a large quantity of new fibrous tissueincluding collagen fiber can be formed in a hollow portion of a mainbody of the filler through through-holes provided on the outer surfaceof the main body, the filler can be applied to various wrinklesincluding thick wrinkles by adjusting the diameter of the main body, thediameter of the hollow portion, the diameter of the through-holes, etc.depending on the size and kind of the wrinkles. Furthermore, thewrinkle-removing effect may last (semi)permanently since new fibroustissue is formed.

DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a filler for removing wrinkles accordingto an exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure.

FIG. 2 is a perspective view of a filler for removing wrinkles accordingto another exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure.

FIG. 3 is a longitudinal sectional view of a filler for removingwrinkles according to another exemplary embodiment of the presentdisclosure wherein partitions are formed.

FIG. 4 is a longitudinal sectional view of a filler for removingwrinkles according to another exemplary embodiment of the presentdisclosure wherein a spiral elastic support is provided.

FIG. 5 shows fibrous tissue formed in a hollow portion of a filler forremoving wrinkles according to the present disclosure inserted into thesubcutaneous layer.

FIG. 6 shows a filler for removing wrinkles according to anotherexemplary embodiment of the present disclosure which is improved toallow easy insertion into a curved part.

FIG. 7 shows the filler for removing wrinkles according to theembodiment shown in FIG. 6 which is inserted into a curved part.

FIG. 8 shows a filler for removing wrinkles according another exemplaryembodiment of the present disclosure wherein elastic cogs projecting inone direction are provided on the outer surface of a main body of thefiller for removing wrinkles.

FIG. 9 shows the filler for removing wrinkles according to theembodiment shown in FIG. 8 being inserted into the subcutaneous layer.

FIG. 10 shows the filler for removing wrinkles according to theembodiment shown in FIG. 8 inserted into the subcutaneous layer.

MODE FOR INVENTION

Hereinafter, the embodiments of the present disclosure will be describedin detail referring to the attached drawings.

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a filler for removing wrinkles accordingto an exemplary embodiment (first embodiment) of the present disclosure.As shown in FIG. 1, a filler 10 for removing wrinkles according to thepresent disclosure includes: a thin and long, integral tubular main body12 provided so as to penetrate the subcutaneous layer; and through-holes14 provided so as to guide tissue cells surrounding the main body 12into the main body 12 to form fibrous tissue, wherein the through-holes14 are formed to communicate with a hollow portion 12 c formed in themain body 12 in a lengthwise direction from the outer surface of themain body 12.

In another exemplary embodiment (second embodiment) of the presentdisclosure shown in FIG. 2, the filler 10 for removing wrinkles mayhave, for example, a circular transection (Also, it may have a hexagonaltransection.). The thin and long tubular main body 12 may be formed byspirally winding a plurality of strip-shaped parts 12 a, 12 b which ismade of the material of the main body 12 of the filler 10 for removingwrinkles and which is having a predetermined width b along the surfaceof a long core material 20 having a diameter desired for the hollowportion 12 c so as to cross each other (in a manner similar to making abamboo wife from bamboo cane). Then, the core material 20 may beremoved, such that the hollow portion 12 c is formed in the parts 12 a,12 b in a lengthwise direction, and the through-holes 14 may be formedby the gaps between the parts 12 a, 12 b (including the gaps formed atthe crossing of the parts). Alternatively, the thin and long tubularmain body 12 may be formed by various methods which are spirally windingthe plurality of parts 12 a, 12 b so as to cross each other, withoutusing the core material. Although FIG. 2 shows an example wherein twoparts 12 a, 12 b, i.e. a first part 12 a and a second part 12 b, areused to form the filler 10 for removing wrinkles according to thepresent disclosure, it will be obvious to those skilled in the art thatthe thin and long tubular main body 12 may be formed by spirally windinga plurality of strip-shaped parts as to cross each other, without beinglimited thereto.

In the exemplary embodiments of the present disclosure including thefirst embodiment and the second embodiment described above, the mainbody 12 may have a circular or polygonal (e.g., tetragonal, hexagonal,octagonal, etc.) transection. Specifically, it may have a circulartransection, so that it can be easily inserted into the subcutaneouslayer after being threaded on a needle (e.g., a needle for cosmeticsurgery). Specifically, the main body 12 may have a diameter of 0.6-1.0mm, so that it can be easily inserted into the subcutaneous layer and belocated between the subcutaneous fat layer and the dermis or in the fatlayer after being inserted. The length of the main body 12 is notparticularly limited as long as it is enough for insertion.

The hollow portion 12 c formed in the main body 12 in the lengthwisedirection provides a space, so that nearby tissue cells such asfibroblasts are guided through the through-holes 14 and then fibroustissue such as elastic fibrous tissue and collagen tissue is newlyformed. Accordingly, since the amount of newly formed fibrous tissueincreases as the diameter of the hollow portion 12 c is larger and theamount of newly formed fibrous tissue decreases as the diameter of thehollow portion 12 c is smaller, the diameter of the hollow portion 12 cmay be adequately adjusted depending on the depth, location, etc. ofwrinkles. In general, the diameter of the hollow portion 12 c may be0.5-0.7 mm.

The through-holes 14 provide a passage for fibroblasts, etc. to enterthe hollow portion 12 c. They may have any shape, including circular,triangular, tetragonal, octagonal, trapezoidal and rhombic shapes. Theplurality of through-holes 14 may be arranged regularly or irregularlyon the outer surface of the main body 12. Specifically, thethrough-holes 14 may have a diameter, when they have a circular shape,or a circle-equivalent diameter, when they have other shapes, of 40-500μm. If the diameter is too large, the filler 10 may not be able tosupport the surrounding tissues.

Specifically, the main body 12 may be made of an elastic material. Itmay be made of a biodegradable polymer such as hyaluronic acid (HA),polylactic acid (PLA), polyglyco-lactic acid (PGLA) and polydioxanone(PDS) or a non-biodegradable polymer such as nylon, silicone and Teflon.If a biodegradable polymer is used, the filler for removing wrinkles isslowly degraded and absorbed after the fibrous tissue is formed. If anon-biodegradable polymer is used, the filler for removing wrinklesremains permanently in the subcutaneous layer.

The main body 12 may have a double-layer structure including an innersheath and an outer sheath made of different materials having differentphysical properties. For example, the inner sheath may be formed of ahard material and the outer sheath may be formed of a soft material.Alternatively, the inner sheath may be formed of an absorbent materialand the outer sheath may be formed of a non-absorbent material, or theinner sheath and the outer sheath may be formed of absorbent materialshaving different rate of absorption.

The filler for removing wrinkles according to the present disclosure hasrecoiling force so as to endure the pressure or external force appliedon the skin without collapsing after being inserted into thesubcutaneous layer. In another exemplary embodiment, a plurality ofpartitions 16 may be formed in the hollow portion 12 c to reinforce therecoiling force, as shown in FIG. 3.

The partitions 16 may be formed to completely or incompletely divide thehollow portion 12 c of the main body 12. The partitions 16 may be madeof the same material as the main body 12.

In another exemplary embodiment, a spiral elastic support 17 may beformed in the hollow portion 12 c to reinforce the recoiling force, asshown in FIG. 4. In another exemplary embodiment, the spiral elasticsupport 17 may be formed outside the main body 12 so as to surround theouter surface of the main body 12. The spiral elastic support 17 may bemade of the same material as the main body 12. In addition toreinforcing the recoiling force, the spiral elastic support 17 may alloweasier insertion into a curved part since, when the filler for removingwrinkles according to the present disclosure is inserted into thesubcutaneous layer with a curved shape, the spiral structure can becomenarrower or wider depending on the curvature.

In another exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure, a filler 10for removing wrinkles as shown in FIG. 6 may be provided. In the filler10 for removing wrinkles, a plurality of main bodies 12 are disposed ina row such that individual hollow portions 12 c are adjacent to eachother, and a connector 12 d penetrating the hollow portions 12 c formedin the main bodies 12 in a lengthwise direction is further provided sothat the plurality of main bodies 12 are used as a series of fillers forremoving wrinkles. According to this embodiment, the filler 10 forremoving wrinkles can be more easily inserted into the subcutaneouslayer with a curved shape, as shown in FIG. 7.

In another exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure, a filler 10for removing wrinkles wherein elastic cogs 12 e are formed on the outersurface of a main body 12 by partially cutting the surface may beprovided, as shown in FIG. 8. In the filler 10 for removing wrinkles,the plurality of elastic cogs 12 e projecting in one direction arefurther formed on the outer surface of the main body 12 along thelengthwise direction of the main body 12. According to this embodiment,the elastic cogs 12 e remain folded (the elastic cogs are accommodatedin grooves partially cut on the outer surface) in the subcutaneous layerwhile the filler 10 for removing wrinkles is being inserted into thesubcutaneous layer, as shown in FIG. 9. Then, after the insertion of thefiller 10 for removing wrinkles into the subcutaneous layer iscompleted, the elastic cogs 12 e restore to the original state ofprojecting in one direction from the main body 12 (see FIG. 8) owing toelasticity, as shown in FIG. 10. The restored elastic cogs 12 e arecaught by tissues and prevent the filler 10 for removing wrinkles fromretreating in the subcutaneous layer, thereby ensuring fixation to thesubcutaneous layer.

In the filler 10 for removing wrinkles according to the presentdisclosure, growth factors for facilitating the formation of fibroustissue may be coated on the outer surface or inner surface of the mainbody 12 or included in the main body 12. The growth factor may beangiogenesis factor, platelet-derived growth factor (PDGF), fibroblastgrowth factor (FGF), transforming growth factor-a (TGF-α), transforminggrowth factor-β (TGF-β), epidermal growth factor (EGF), connectivetissue growth factor (CTGF), vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF),etc., but is not limited thereto.

The filler for removing wrinkles according to the present disclosure maybe easily inserted by threading one end thereof on a needle for cosmeticsurgery or by connecting to the tip of the needle according to acommonly employed method. Hereinafter, a method for removing wrinklesusing the filler for removing wrinkles according to the presentdisclosure will be described in detail referring to FIG. 5.

A wrinkled area to which the filler is to be inserted is marked and ananesthetic ointment is applied thereon. Then, a needle is inserted fromone end of the marked area into the subcutaneous layer, particularlybetween the subcutaneous fat layer and the dermis or into the fat layer,and pulled at the other end, such that the filler for removing wrinklesspans over the marked area. Then, the portion coming out of the skin Sis removed by cutting. Subsequently, blood, red blood cells, white bloodcells, platelets, fibroblasts, myofibroblasts, etc. are filled in ahollow portion 12 c of the filler 10 for removing wrinkles inserted intothe subcutaneous layer. The amount of the fibroblasts reaches maximum3-5 days after the insertion, and that of the myofibroblasts reachesmaximum at 5-15 days. Thereafter, collagen is synthesized by thefibroblasts, resulting in fibrous tissue T. The fibrous tissue Tprovides a wrinkle-correcting effect.

While the exemplary embodiments have been shown and described, it willbe understood by those skilled in the art that various changes in formand details may be made thereto without departing from the spirit andscope of this disclosure as defined by the appended claims.

1. A filler for removing wrinkles, comprising: a thin and long tubularmain body provided so as to penetrate the subcutaneous layer; andthrough-holes provided so as to guide tissue cells surrounding the mainbody into the main body to form fibrous tissue, wherein thethrough-holes are formed to communicate with a hollow portion formed inthe main body in a lengthwise direction from the outer surface of themain body.
 2. The filler for removing wrinkles according to claim 1,wherein the main body is formed integrally and has a circulartransection.
 3. The filler for removing wrinkles according to claim 2,wherein the main body has a diameter of 0.6-1.0 mm, and the hollowportion has a diameter of 0.5-0.7 mm.
 4. The filler for removingwrinkles according to claim 2, wherein the through-holes have a diameteror a circle-equivalent diameter of 40-500 μm.
 5. The filler for removingwrinkles according to claim 1, wherein the main body is formed byspirally winding a plurality of strip-shaped parts so as to cross eachother, such that the hollow portion is provided in the parts in alengthwise direction, and the through-holes communicating with thehollow portion from the outer surface of the main body are provided bythe gaps between the parts.
 6. The filler for removing wrinklesaccording to claim 1, wherein the main body is made of an elasticmaterial.
 7. The filler for removing wrinkles according to claim 1,wherein the main body is made of a biodegradable polymer selected from agroup consisting of hyaluronic acid (HA), polylactic acid (PLA),polyglyco-lactic acid (PGLA) and polydioxanone (PDS).
 8. The filler forremoving wrinkles according to claim 1, wherein the main body is made ofa non-biodegradable polymer selected from a group consisting of nylon,silicone and Teflon.
 9. The filler for removing wrinkles according toclaim 1, wherein the main body has a double-layer structure comprisingan inner sheath and an outer sheath made of different materials havingdifferent physical properties.
 10. The filler for removing wrinklesaccording to claim 1, wherein a plurality of partitions are furtherformed in the hollow portion.
 11. The filler for removing wrinklesaccording to claim 1, wherein a spiral elastic support is further formedin the hollow portion.
 12. The filler for removing wrinkles according toclaim 1, wherein a spiral elastic support is further provided outsidethe main body so as to surround the outer surface of the main body. 13.The filler for removing wrinkles according to claim 1, wherein aplurality of the main bodies are disposed in a row such that the hollowportions are adjacent to each other, and a connector penetrating thehollow portions formed in the main bodies in a lengthwise direction isfurther provided so that the plurality of main bodies are used as aseries of fillers for removing wrinkles
 14. The filler for removingwrinkles according to claim 1, wherein a plurality of elasticprojections projecting in one direction are further formed on the outersurface of the main body along the lengthwise direction of the mainbody.
 15. The filler for removing wrinkles according to claim 1, whereingrowth factors for facilitating the formation of fibrous tissue arecoated on the outer surface or inner surface of the main body orincluded in the main body.